Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of fungal pretreated cornstalk for hydrogen production using Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum W16

In this research, environmentally friendly fungal pretreatment was first adopted for deconstruction of cornstalk. Then the fungal-pretreated cornstalk was employed to produce hydrogen in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using crude enzyme from Trichoderma viride and Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum W16. The influence of various factors including substrate concentration, initial pH, and enzyme loading on hydrogen production were evaluated. The highest hydrogen yield of 89.3 ml/g-cornstalk was obtained with an initial pH 6.5, 0.75% substrate concentration, and 34 FPU/g cellulose. Compared the result with SSF of physical or chemical pretreated lignocellulosic materials, this research suggested an economic and efficient way for hydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass.

► Fungal pretreated cornstalk was employed to produce H2 in SSF. ► The influence of various factors on SSF was evaluated. ► High hydrogen yield was obtained by this process.